Chapter 743: Orochimaru

Orochimaru works with great efficiency; he quickly replaced Zhang Men's eyes with a normal pair.

As for the Rinnegan that had no function, he casually tossed it into the trash can.

If Lian Ye Teacher hadn't objected, he had planned to give Zhang Men a genuine one.

After seven years of research, Orochimaru had fully mastered the Rinnegan and could mass‑produce it.

The only drawback is that it cannot wield the special abilities like the Otsutsuki Clan.

It only possesses basic techniques such as Universal Pull and Divine Net Heavenly Expedition.

Orochimaru is very satisfied; this can be called a cross‑era development.

Even if the Otsutsuki Clan invades in the future, the Ninja World will have the power to resist!

Several members of Akatsuki, upon seeing the wall in the Laboratory lined with Kaleidoscope Sharingan and Rinnegan, fell into contemplation.

So this is the depth of Konoha Village?

Other nations simply have no chance to exploit it!

Miyan began to doubt his life.

Konoha Village is so powerful; other nations are certainly no match.

As long as Konoha can continuously crush other ninja villages with absolute force, war will never break out again.

Then what is the point of him founding the organization?

"Master, are all these eyes real?"

Miyan asked, his voice trembling.

Orochimaru nodded, pride shining in his eyes.

"That is natural!"

These are the secret weapons he has been researching day and night for years!

Although the Kaleidoscope and Rinnegan have flaws, he believes a perfect eye will be developed in the future!

By then, his name will surely echo throughout the Ninja World.

"Master, you are amazing."

Xiao Nan's eyes sparkled like tiny stars, and she greatly admired the master she met for the first time.

"Thank you for the compliment."

A rare smile appeared on Orochimaru's face.

"If there's nothing else, you may leave; I must continue my research."

Since the war ended, aside from cooking for Kaguya Otsutsuki, Orochimaru has spent all other time soaking in the Laboratory.

There is no social life at all.

Previously, Lord Feijian assisted him with experiments, but after Yuzhibo Quannai's resurrection, Lord Feijian's mind was no longer on research.

Even without assistance, Orochimaru still persisted, researching day after day for decades.

Watching Miyan and the others leave, he stared at the empty Laboratory, lost in thought.

It seems he needs to find a clever disciple; otherwise, one person truly can't handle everything.

His gaze fell on the research documents in the corner.

Those were materials Lian Ye Teacher had once brought from another timeline, said to be compiled by Pharmacist Dou from another timeline.

"Pharmacist Dou."

Orochimaru murmured softly, then removed his white coat and, unusually, left the Laboratory.

Konoha Orphanage.

Director of the orphanage, Pharmacist Ye Nuo Yu, was playing with the children in the yard.

She is a middle‑aged woman, wearing signature round glasses, a plain gray robe, her hair simply tied at the back, and her kindly face bears a hint of fatigue.

After Konoha Village developed, the living standards of the orphanage children improved steadily.

But she hopes the children can all be adopted by suitable families.

At that moment, a tall, slender man with an androgynous aura stood at the orphanage entrance.

He had long black hair, golden vertical pupils, purple eye shadow, and pale skin.

The newcomer was none other than Orochimaru, who had just left the Laboratory!

"Lord Orochimaru, what brings you here?"

Pharmacist Ye Nuo Yu noticed the figure at the door, her voice showing clear surprise and respect.

She certainly knew Orochimaru, but hadn't expected such a prominent figure to suddenly visit the orphanage.

Orochimaru's gaze passed over her and settled on the children frolicking in the yard.

Some children chased each other, some played with sand, some swung on the swings—a scene of pure innocence.

His snake‑like eyes narrowed, his thoughts unreadable.

"Lord Orochimaru?"

Pharmacist Ye Nuo Yu asked cautiously.

"I wish to adopt a child."

Orochimaru did not turn around, his voice hoarse.

Upon hearing this, Pharmacist Ye Nuo Yu's eyes lit up. Having worked here for years, she knew the children's situation best.

Although the orphanage provides decent care, resources are inevitably limited.

If a kind person could adopt them and give them a real home, that would be ideal.

"Wonderful!" Pharmacist Ye Nuo Yu smiled, "Lord Orochimaru, you are truly kind. Let me show you the children; they are all well‑behaved and sensible, some excel at drawing, some at singing..."

"No need."

Orochimaru shook his head and cut her off.

Yao Shi Ye Nuo Yu halted, looking at him with some confusion.

"I want to adopt—it's Yao Shi Dou."

"Dou?"

She subconsciously repeated the name, a hint of reluctant emotion flashing in her eyes.

But she quickly returned to normal, smiling and nodding.

"Please come with me!"

She turned, leading Orochimaru around the playing children in the courtyard, toward a corner of the orphanage.

There stood a tall old tree, beneath which sat a silver‑gray‑haired boy, about four or five years old.

He sat there quietly, head bowed over a book, completely out of place amid the surrounding clamor.

Yao Shi Ye Nuo Yu stopped, gazing at the child from afar, eyes full of compassion and pain.

"Dou is a very special child. He is smarter than the other kids; sometimes I wonder if he is thinking about things that even we adults might not be able to understand."

She looked at Orochimaru, her voice trembling slightly.

"He is a good child. Lord Orochimaru, please be sure to treat him well."

Orochimaru gave no reply, merely watching the small figure reading under the tree in silence.

Sunlight filtered through the leaves, casting dappled light on Yao Shi Du; he seemed to sense something, slowly lifted his head, and looked toward Orochimaru's direction.

In that instant, a pair of adult eyes and a pair of child eyes met from afar.

The wind whispered, rustling the leaves.

Orochimaru's mouth curved slowly into a meaning‑laden smile.

Yao Shi Du looked at the unfamiliar, cold‑aura man, then glanced at the Director standing beside him, as if vaguely understanding something.

He closed the book in his hands, placed it gently beside him, then stood and lightly brushed dust from his clothes.

Then, he walked toward Orochimaru.

In the courtyard, children's laughter continued, and no one noticed the scene in the corner.

Yao Shi Du walked up to Orochimaru and stopped.

He looked up, meeting the golden slanted pupils, his voice youthful yet calm.

"Are you here to take me away?"

Orochimaru looked down at him, his smile deepening.

"Yes," he said. "From today onward, you, Yao Shi Dou, are my… disciple."

Yao Shi Dou nodded, then turned and gave a deep bow to Yao Shi Ye Nuo Yu.

"Director mother, I will have time to come back and see you!"

"This is my teacher's check; you can fill in the amount yourself."

Orochimaru took out a check and handed it to Yao Shi Ye Nuo Yu, then left with his newly accepted disciple without looking back.

The sunlight remained warm, the tree shadows still dappled, and the children's laughter persisted.

Only Yao Shi Ye Nuo Yu stared blankly at the empty check in his hand.